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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for May

The final of the 62nd contest takes place in Kiev, Ukraine, on 13/5 at 8pm on BBC1 and the pre-contest publicity has been dominated by the host country’s banning of Russia’s entry. Check out the search box for our predictions for this year which include the contest’s most surefire winner: Occidentali’s Karma by Francesco Gabbani (pictured above).

Read on for reasons including Felicity Kendal, new band Lilac Lungs & a Game Of Thrones Q&A

2. John Boyega awakens in Woyzeck at the Old Vic

Star Wars: The Force Awakens star Boyega is the lead in this Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, National Treasure, This Is England, Junkyard) adaptation which rewinds to 80s Berlin where a young soldier and the love of his life are desperately trying to make a future for their young child. Runs 15/5 to 24/6. Tickets We’ve everything crossed for a special surprise from the rehearsals in April. Stay tuned.

3. Maureen Lipman and Felicity Kendal at the Menier

We loved Trevor Nunn’s Love In Idleness and wonder whether this sold-out first major revival of Peter Shaffer’s comedy will follow it into the West End thanks, in part, to the pulling power of its two leads. Runs at the Menier 4/5 to 8/7. Tickets

4. Alien: Covenant bursts forth

Prometheus wasn’t quite the reboot the Alien franchise needed but Alien: Covenant retains Ridley Scott, Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender while its trailers look much more in keeping with what made the series so iconic. Out 19/5.

5. Blondie’s Pollinator

We last saw Blondie open Glastonbury in 2014 and their new album Pollinator (out 5/5) includes contributions from Charli XCX and Johnny Marr (see above).

6. House of Cards stacks up

The 13-episode fifth season of one of our favourite Netflix boxsets drops 30/5. Cast regular Mahershala Ali won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar earlier this year. Will the three-month delay in the release of this series reflect Donald Trump’s surprise win? Is there anything Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright could do to out-Trump him?

7. Twin Peaks surface

All eyes on Sky Atlantic 22/5. We had 30 episodes in 1990 and a feature film in 1992. Much excitement about our return a quarter of a century later.

8. Lilac Lungs expand

We’re getting Goldfrapp/Sundays vibes from their debut album Eventide, out 12/5, including the above. Full review next month around the release date.

9. To the Top Of The Lake

This six-episode second series of Jane Campion’s New Zealand-set mystery drama must return to TV soon starring Nicole Kidman because we’re at a BFI Q&A with at least one of its stars (Gwendoline Christie, Game Of Thrones) in May.

Main picture via Facebook courtesy Francesco Gabbani

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